I was watching Guida Al Campionato, and the Italian critics, were saying that while Del Piero's penalty was dubious as the player seemed to get some of the ball before tripping Ale, even Catania's goal was highly dubious. Spinesi, at the time of the cross, had his right leg and whole upper body ahead of Molinaro, and thus maybe should have been given offside.
I didn't see the whole game, just highlights and clips, but from what i saw Marchionni made an impact when coming on at half time for Tiago. I've read the past 10 pages of people ranting, and saying he was a bad sub, but from what i saw, he was quite impressive.
Ranieri, on an interview in this program said he asked for a player for January, but when they asked who, he said I can't tell you. Hopefully it will be a fantasista like Diego but we'll probably end up with some useless player like Sissoko.
According to the critics, Sissoko will be a waste of money, while so would Van der Vaart, as he is a secondo punta, which is what Del Piero and Palladino are, and Iaquinta can also be played in that position. For them we need a world class defender. The was also Ravanelli on the program, and he said for Juve to compete for this year's scudetto, we'll have to buy 3 or 4 players.
If i had to choose these four players, taking into consideration price and also players that will want to come in mid season. First of all I'd buy a defender, preferably a very good central defender, not many come to mind for January but we should try for defenders in Spain who are not getting a chance at their clubs, for example Real Madrid have Canna, Metzelder, Heinze, Ramos and Pepe, as players who can play as CB. 5 world class players, i'm sure at least 1 is not happy about being in the stands all the time. We should bid for one, at least a 6 month loan with an option to buy for a reduced price in June.
Also another position we definitely need in LB, at the beginning i never criticized Molinaro as i thought once he'd get used to the stlye of play he'd calm down and be a good player, but it has not been so. In the second half he had one good shot, but in all the highlights, thats the only action i saw. Once again we should strengthen this position in this transfer window. Once again a Real Madrid player comes to mind: Marcelo, a couple of seasons ago he was considered the next best left back, then he disappeared for like a season, and now is starting to play again with Real, even though Drenthe and heinze are sometimes preffered as left backs. If FM is anything to go by, he has an 8 million euro release clause, and at the price would be a steal. He is fast, good crossing, reads the game well, and can play as a left winger in times of need. Juve have always been based on good wing backs, and this year should be no different. First it was Zambrotta and Thuram, then Chiellini and Zambrotta, we need another wing back for certain.
The next position i'd reinforce is central midfield. yes we have many players, yes Nocerino and Zanetti give us quantity in the middle of the park, but do they give us creativity? Not really. The most creative i've seen either is in the Lazio game, where Zanetti gave 2 exquisite passes from our half onto the foot of Del Piero who scored twice on the counter. I'd keep Zanetti in teh team cause he is the destroyer with great stamina. He reads the game and breaks down the opponents attacks, and doesn't get into people's bad books.
Nocerino, has a lot of spirit and might become a good player, but at the moment, is a luxury which our team can't afford, if he knew how to pass and create opportunites, i'd love him in our team, but he is there to break down and then pass the ball to Zanetti. If we aren't going to let Tiago play in his preferred position, we might as well buy someone new.
First name that comes to mind is Van der Vaart, to be honest, i only watched him in his Ajax days, where he was good. This type of player is certainly needed, whether Rafael is the player, i'm not sure, but i doubt we can find an AMC for less than 11 million sterling, who has played well everywhere he has gone, at least thats the impression i've got. An alternative, and cheaper solution, would be to play Nedved as AMC, and buy someone as a left winger(which is the next position i'm coming to), but with nedved's age and temper, it might not be the best choice.
A left winger, we need Nedved's replacement, no question about it. He is 35 i believe, yet he is the one who has the passion to keep running, but his legs might not be able to keep up with his passion for much longer. We should have signed a replacement at least 2 years ago, and molded him into the player we want and need. Instead they kept buying DMC's, so we're stuck with a 35 year old winger. The cheapest, and maybe best option would be to recall Giovinco from his loan at Empoli, but this could backfire by putting too much attention on the youngster, and when this happens it may ruin careers(just look at Francis Jeffers). Another option might be Drenthe who has been linked with us.
If we get these players, then I believe we might actually challenge for the title, but we'll prob end up with Sissoko and sell Tiago Boumsong and Almiron.